The Getty

Yes, I paid the fee before I left Canada. So you mean if I show my passport with the visa I should be ok for the job? They need to conduct a background check, can they do it without a SSN?

Ughhh only when I thought this waiting game is over

Do you mean a criminal background check? I'm not entirely sure, but they may be able to do that without an SSN. But as Inky stated, you will need an SSN to work.

As well, all employers must, by law, complete an I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification to verify both identity and employment authorization on all new employees (both citizen and noncitizen) hired after November 6, 1986. This is the link to view the form, instructions, and what documents are acceptable

http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-9.pdf

You do not need an SSN for this form to be completed (instructions say it is voluntary to provide it) UNLESS your potential employer uses the E-Verify system, in which case an SSN IS required.

As for getting an SSN, you may want to read this

http://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/

It lists what can be used to get a SSN.

I checked the box on my IV application asking my info be sent to the SSA so they can issue my SSN.

Date of entry into US on my CR-1 visa: 10/11/2011.

Date I received my SSN card: 10/21/2011.

You will have to sign the G-325A that you filled out, as it's your information.

If memory serves me correctly, I believe I checked the 'other' box and put I-130 in the space. Sorry I can't remember for sure as I filled mine out back in January 2011. If anyone knows which is better, please advise.

Hey guys,

At the bottom of the G-325A form, it asks if you the form is being sent in connection with an application for naturalization, permanent residency or other. My husband put other -I-130 (as he is already an american citizen.) Do I put "permanent residency" or "other- I-130" as well on mine?

Also, does he sign on my G-325 A where it asks for the signature, as he is the petiitoner? Or do I still sign as it is my info on the form?

Thanks!

Taylor

Wonder if anybody is having luck in scheduling their Montreal interview for end of this year/2012? I only ever receive "There are no available appointments at this time". We have to get our interview done this year or our Visa application will be terminated/expire. Tips? Suggestions?

You don't need to schedule an interview in Montreal if you are going through the CR-1/IR-1 process (spousal visa)....the NVC/Consulate schedules it for you, unless this has changed in the past year. I went through the CR-1 process last year and had mine scheduled for me.

I believe you would only need to schedule an appointment for Montreal for a K-1 (fiance) visa.

If this is wrong, someone can correct it.

My wife (the USC) and I were married in November 2010. Within a week of our marriage, we went to a TD Bank branch here in Connecticut to open a joint account. My wife just provided her SSN and CT driver's license, and a certified copy of our marriage certificate.

As I was not yet a US resident, I had no SSN or ID from the US at the time. The bank employee just filled out a special form for a foreign spouse, and I had to show my Canadian passport as primary proof, along with one other piece of ID. We had no problem getting the bank account opened in BOTH our names, even though, as I said, I was NOT a US resident at the time. And this was done about 3 months BEFORE my wife even submitted the I-130 petition.

So a joint account CAN be done without the foreign spouse having an SSN. Whether or not it depends on the country the foreign spouse is from, I do not know.

Hi all! So, I just received my permanent green card today with all the correct information on it. YAY!!!! Now I can stop carrying around my Canadian passport with my temporary green card in it - which TECHNICALLY wasn't really valid. And to think...it only took me almost 5 months and an I-90 Application to get it.

For all those yet to receive their visas, may I offer this advice: ensure you look at the date on the stamp on your visa (to ensure it has the correct month, day, and year) at your POE BEFORE leaving. It may sound silly, but trust me I know first hand that it really isn't silly. I didn't look at the date (thought I really didn't have to scrutinize it) and when I received my first permanent green card about a month after my entry into the US, the 'Resident since' and 'Expires on' dates were wrong. When I checked my Immigrant visa in my passport, I then realized WHY the dates were wrong: at my POE, the date stamped by the CBP official was October 11, 2010 (my visa wasn't issued until September 28, 2011). Luckily for me, since this was a USCIS error, I got the $450 I-90 application fee waived. It's been a pain in the you know what - couldn't even transfer my licence to get a valid CT one due to the incorrect date.

So I have my permanent green card with all the correct info on it, and don't have to deal with USCIS anymore until starting July 11, 2013, when I can apply to get conditions removed.

As I said, check the date of your visa at your POE BEFORE leaving to make sure it's correct, and prevent yourself from even more waiting!

I'm fairly certain back in 2005 when I came on a CR-1 visa that I didn't have my SSN when I started collecting Ei. Oodles of posts on VJ on what to do when ur SSN does not arrive soon

I know there have been a fair # of people on VJ that have started to work as well without a SSN--they just didn't get paid until they provided the SSN

Back in 2005, it may have been the case that you didn't need your SSN to start collecting EI and perhaps things have changed....I don't know. All I do know is when I arrived in the US just 4 months ago, until I had my SSN, I was not paid any EI from Canada as I was considered to NOT be available for work. This came straight from the agents who actually review and process the EI applications. I had to be ready, willing, and capable of working to receive EI benefits - capable of working meant being able to legally accept work in the US, and not having an SSN was deemed to not be able to legally accept work.

As for the second part of your response, from my own experience, before I had my SSN I was told point blank that without an SSN, my application wouldn't even be accepted/reviewed. maybe this was just the businesses where I tried to apply, or maybe it was because of the state in which I live; your guess is as good as mine.

To the OP:

In my honest opinion, you would be better waiting until you had your SSN before applying for EI benefits from Canada. As I've posted, without my SSN I was deemed to not be available to legally accept work in the US, thus, not eligible for EI until I had received my SSN. If you want to try with just your green card, by all means try. And if you are successful, then all the more power to you. I'm just relaying personal experience from 4 months ago.

I should qualify my previous post. As a CR-1 visa holder, you can apply and are eligible to work in the U.S., but you will need to have your SSN first.

Service Canada will see you as not eligible to work with only a green card as you cannot legally accept work without a SSN.

A green card alone does NOT make you eligible to work in the U.S.!!!!! Until you receive a vaild Social Security Number (SSN) from the Social Security Administration that does not have a restriction preventing you from working (which it shouldn't on a CR-1 visa), you CANNOT LEGALLY accept work in the U.S., and thus will be deemed by Service Canada as NOT being able to work and not eligble for E.I. benefits.

You should be able to claim E.I. no problem while in the USA provided you have enough hours (which it appears you have) AND you are ready, willing, and capable of working/accepting work. You can call Service Canada's toll free number and speak to a representative. Better yet, call the Interstate Department - they are the ones who deal with E.I. claims OUTSIDE of Canada. Their number is 1-877-486-1650. This is a voicemail only number, so you can leave a message with your name, SIN, and contact phone #, and someone will call you back. Then you can discuss it with that person and they will give you the proper information.

I moved to the US in October 2011, and I had no problem getting my E.I. down here. You will get cards in the mail, and you will not be able to file your report on neither the internet nor using the automated phone system. (Once I received my cards, I just called the Interstate Dept. phone # and left my name, SIN, contact phone # , and report on the voicemail, and they were able to process it for me.)

One thing that I must point out is that in other posts I have read in response to your question, you have been given wrong information, namely as follows:

"You just need to prove you are eligible to work in the US. Which you will be able to do with your greencard after you cross,"

"Usually you're eligible to collect as soon as you can prove that you're able and willing to work i.e. you have your green card,"

"As a cr-1/ir-1 ur eligible right away when u enter the USA, as these visa come with you being able to work right away"

A green card alone does NOT make you eligible to work in the U.S.!!!!! Until you receive a vaild Social Security Number (SSN) from the Social Security Administration that does not have a restriction preventing you from working (which it shouldn't on a CR-1 visa), you CANNOT LEGALLY accept work in the U.S., and thus will be deemed by Service Canada as NOT being able to work and not eligble for E.I. benefits.

We decide to wait until summer and just have her come to the US and do the marriage here, she has a little left before she gets her degree. Yes, we will both file a G325A, so I assume your saying that means it's asking for my parents on my form and her parents on her form.

She can certainly get a copy of the proper papers, she just had that already and wondered if it was enough.

Thank you.

Here's the link to the USCIS website for the I-129F:

http://www.uscis.gov/i-129f

it gives the link for both the application and instructions, as well as what documents are required. Just follow the instructions.

And you're welcome. I'm not an expert, but I try to help when I can, as does everyone here on VJ.

Everything has gone good so far. We are now preparing for I-129F and I have a question on the G325A form. It asks for Family name and father and mother(maiden) names in the second set of boxes below the first, but the example document doesn't make it clear whether that is me and her or my parents, I'm guess my parent but have to be sure. Anyone?

Also to prove divorced what does a to show? She has a paper from swedish tax agency with her name, birth, citizenship and then it civil status as divorce on such and such date, is this enough? Because her previous husband name isn't there nor place of marriage.

Thank you for any help.

I was reading your previous posts where you were planning on getting married in Sweden, then you were returning to the US. IF you are married, then you need to complete the I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. The I-129F is a Petition for Alien Fiance(e)

Either way, both you AND your spouse/fiancee are each required to complete a form G325A.

I would imagine that they would be required to get a certified copy of the divorce decree from the courts or appropriate authority, but I'm not sure as to how they would go about that. Perhaps if you post in the Sweden forum someone there may have better information.

Congrats to you! I made my POE at the same place with my CR-1 visa back in October. I found, like you, that the border officials weren't familiar with processing the visa and I spent over an hour waiting. But I finally finished processing and was on my way.

I'm not familiar with the K-1 visa, but I would imagine that you got a stamp with the date of your POE on your visa. I would suggest looking at it to ensure it's correct. As I said, I POE'd on October 11, 2011. However, the date of the stamp was October 11, 2010. Unfortunately, it wasn't until I received my permanent green card that I noticed this, at which point I had to call USCIS to explain the error. This resulted in me having to complete an I-90 application to replace my green card (luckily, due to USCIS error, the $450 fee was waived). I just had my biometrics January 25 for the replacement card and am waiting for it to arrive.

So, as I said, just have a look to see the date is correct...it'll save you a whole lot of grief and frustration. Cheers!

No it's not a "copy" it's the original. It's the ENTIRE immigration file.

Well, not everything in mine was original. Even though I completed EP and did my DS-260 online, I still had to fill out a DS-230 at my interview as Montreal wasn't entirely set up for EP processing. This was filled out in BLUE ink, yet at my POE, the form was in BLACK. And I know I didn't complete more than one...just saying. But this is not related to the OP's original post so I'm just going to end it here.

Out of curiousity - what exactly is in those envelopes?

So, how bad do you want to know and what's it worth to you, hmmm??!?!

Well, I was wondering the same thing when I got mine. Then, at my POE, all was revealed. The big secret is.....it's just the IV application and documents that were submitted, along with the information they enter at the consulate when you're interviewed. And that is the mystery surrounding the sealed "DO NOT OPEN" envelope.

Now that you know, try to act surprised, mmmkay?

Hello i am new to the group and really need help

I have been married for two years and just filed our papers last week, we recieved our i-797c yesterday. Is that considered as our NOA1?

Im concerned how long processing of papers take? Does IR1 visa processing longer (like mor steps?) than CR1 visa? Or is it the same?

Thank you very much

Yes that is your NOA1... it should say something like your I-130 application was received and being processed, blah blah blah. Hopefully your NOA2 will state that your I-130 was approved and forwarded to the NVC.

The IR1/CR1 is actually the same visa application.

The difference is that the CR1 (conditional visa) is if you were married less than 2 years, in which case you will receive a 2 year green card and would have to remove conditions starting 90 days before the green card expired (or risk being deported). The IR1 is if you've been married for 2 years or more. In this instance, you would be given a 10 year green card.

I believe the processing time would be the same for both, and the required documentation would also be the same.

Hi All,

I'm still able to login to the payment portal/ electronic processing part for NVC so I'm not sure if this is case complete.

I just got an email from NVC that stated "All documentation necessary to complete the National Visa Center's processing of your case has been received. As soon as an interview date has been scheduled, the applicant, petitioner and attorney (if applicable) will be notified."

Is this case complete? I'm confused

thanks all!

J

Yes, your case is complete. The next email you receive should have the following subject line: Your NVC Case # (STD P4 APP). There will be an attachment in this email with your interview date, as well as all documents you will need to bring with you and some other information. I'm not sure how soon you will receive it - I'm guessing it will be once the consulate in Montreal receives the info from NVC. (I received a similar email on August 9, 2011 and on August 17, 2011 received the second email with my appointment date.)

That said, let me just say congrats! Your journey is almost complete!

You CANNOT use the I-864 EZ form. You HAVE to use the I-864 form.

Who May Use Form I-864EZ?

You may use Form I-864EZ IF ALL the following conditions

apply:

1. You are the person who filed or is filing the Form I-130,

Petition for Alien Relative, for a relative being sponsored;

2. The relative you are sponsoring is the only person listed on

the Form I-130 petition;

3. The income you are using to qualify is based entirely on

your salary or pension and is shown on one or more Forms

W-2 provided by your employer(s) or former employer(s).

http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-864ez.pdf

Hey there!

I went through trying to determine what immunizations I needed. When it comes to the Tdap immunization, the info I found out was that you had to have had 3 of these in your lifetime, one of which HAD to be within the past 10 years, though one of the below sites said within the past 2 years. With regards to the MMR, I was told by the Public Health nurse in my home province that it is recommended that you have at least 2 in your lifetime.

Check out the links below - they may give you better info:

http://www.wokingmedical.com/Vaccinations.html

http://www.panelphysicians.com/Pages/Age6.htm

Truthfully, it wouldn't hurt to get an update of your Tdap and MMR, preferably in your home province as it MAY be free. They should be able to do it at your medical, however, it will cost you more $$$.

Thanks for the information everyone! Ahhhh just when I thought I would be finished with questions lol

You're welcome! After all, we're all here to help each other!

"Alien Registration Number" is the full name and A# or registration number means the same thing. It could also be hand written by the officer at POE. (Blacked out area of this photo http://static.visajourney.com/images/uploads/monthly_02_2009/post-47657-1235761393_thumb.jpg)

That is true as well. I have read on VJ that some people have had their A# handwritten by the CBP officer at the POE. However, there are other people, myself included, who did NOT have the number written in by the CBP officer, and others who aren't able to clearly make out the number that was handwritten.

But the registration # should be typed on all visas, and as I've mentioned, if it's only 8 digits just put a zero in front to make it 9 digits long.

Ok so we should be safe to use the registration# just stick a 0 infront of it correct?

Correct - just put a zero at the beginning to give 9 digits.

The registration number on the visa IS the A#. I have the same thing in my visa. When I received my permanent green card, it had the A# on that, which was the same as the registration # in my visa only with a zero at the beginning.

eg. registration number in visa is 12345678 - on permanent green card it's USCIS # 012-345-678 (on the front) and in the the magnetic strip on the back of the permanent green card it states A# 012-345-678.

Hey th

The border official I dealt with advised me to wait a couple of weeks to see if I receive my SSN (I had indicated on the Visa application that I would like USCIS to request one from Social Security for me). He said it had been his experience that people who had indicated they wanted one had to fill out the application anyway. HOWEVER, the information was sent to the SSA. My SSN card had a date of October 13, 2011 on it and I received it in hand on October 21, 2011 - a mere 10 days after my entry into the US.

I'm not sure if others have had this luck or if they have had to fill out an actual application. Hopefully, if you said that you would like USCIS to request a SSN on your behalf, you will receive it as quickly as I did.

Thanks for sharing this, I guess you were one of the lucky ones. This email that you posted above was from CSC and not the Montreal embassy, correct?

Correct. I received this email from the CSC and not the Montreal embassy.

Hope you receive a similar email soon!